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- Title
Mammographic positioning quality of newly trained versus experienced radiographers in the Dutch breast cancer screening programme.
- Authors
Landsveld-Verhoeven, Cary; Heeten, Gerard; Timmers, Janine; Broeders, Mireille; van Landsveld-Verhoeven, Cary; den Heeten, Gerard J; Broeders, Mireille J M
- Abstract
<bold>Purpose: </bold>Our purpose was to compare mammographic positioning quality of new (NR) versus experienced screening radiographers (ER) in the Netherlands.<bold>Methods and Materials: </bold>Before starting to work in breast screening, NR must complete an education programme including a theoretical course (four days), practical training (six weeks), and a portfolio-review of 50 mammographic screening examinations performed by the radiographer. Furthermore, Dutch screening has an extensive system of quality assurance, including an audit-review of positioning quality of mammograms by ER. We analysed 13,520 portfolio views (NR) and 14,896 audit views (ER) based on pre-specified criteria, e.g., depiction of inframammary angle.<bold>Results: </bold>Overall positioning was more adequate for NR than ER (CC views: 97% versus 86%, p = 0.00; MLO views: 92% versus 84%, p = 0.00). NR scored better for most of the CC-criteria and showed, for instance, less folds (inadequate: 10% versus 16%, p = 0.00). In contrast, NR encountered more difficulties for MLO views in, for example, depiction of infra-mammary angle (inadequate: 38% versus 34%, p = 0.00). Overall, mammograms from NR were more often considered adequate, because of less severe errors.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>NR perform better than ER in overall positioning technique. These results stress the need for continuous monitoring and training in breast screening programmes to keep positioning skills up to date.<bold>Key Points: </bold>• We evaluated positioning quality of new and experienced Dutch screening radiographers. • New radiographers outperform their experienced colleagues in mammographic positioning quality. • New radiographers make less severe errors compared to experienced colleagues. • There is a need for a continuous individual monitoring and feedback system.
- Subjects
NETHERLANDS; BREAST cancer; MAMMOGRAMS; MEDICAL screening; MEDICAL education; PSYCHOLOGICAL feedback
- Publication
European Radiology, 2015, Vol 25, Issue 11, p3322
- ISSN
0938-7994
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1007/s00330-015-3738-8